O’Malley To Push Bills On Weapons, School Safety

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—Maryland lawmakers are looking at ways to limit the availability of assault weapons.

Political reporter Pat Warren has more on what new legislation could look like.

Governor Martin O’Malley is considering a number of elements in drafting gun control legislation: weapons, school safety and mental health.

The Maryland General Assembly is expected to do more than talk about gun control this session. Gov. O’Malley expects some kind of legislation.

He briefed reporters Tuesday morning on the areas of concern: laws relating to guns and limiting the number of rounds in a magazine, limiting the access of the mentally ill and school safety.

“It’s just hard to conclude that these guns should be in the hands of anyone who isn’t a soldier on a battlefield, or at a law enforcement office or sent into a tactical situation,” O’Malley said.

In 2004, lawmakers attempting to ban assault weapons in Maryland enlisted the help of Ceasefire Maryland.

“This is a replica of a military M16 assault rifle which can basically kill as many people as possible in as short a time as possible,” said Leah Barret, Ceasefire Maryland.

With the Connecticut massacre fresh in their minds, O’Malley expects lawmakers will be more inclined to act.

“We need to find a way to try to rescue some good for the future after this irreplaceable lost that these moms and dads have suffered,” O’Malley said.

The governor downplayed the influence of the NRA in the coming Maryland debate.

He says his administration is likely to introduce a bill but expects a number of bills to come up for consideration, including a full ban on assault weapons expected to be proposed by some senators Wednesday.

The NRA is planning to announce what it calls “meaningful contributions” to prevent more violence during a news conference Friday.

Pat Warren

Pat Warren joined the Eyewitness News team in 1992.
Pat came to WJZ from WBNS-TV in Columbus, Ohio where she had been a news anchor and general assignment reporter.
Her desire to give back to the community keeps Pat involved with many...